Carabiner with anti-cross loading feature

ABSTRACT

A carabiner with a generally C-shaped body includes a first end and a second end located on opposite sides of an opening. A primary gate is mounted to the second end. The primary gate is rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a plane that bisects the C-shaped body. The primary gate is rotatable between a closed position with the primary gate engaged with the first end and the C-shaped body enclosing an interior region, and an open position with the primary gate located generally in the interior region. A secondary gate is attached to the primary gate and adapted to be displaced in the plane relative to the primary gate between a closed configuration that separates the interior region into a first portion and a second portion, and an open configuration that provides access to the interior region. The secondary gate can be displaced in the plane to extend across the interior region as the primary gate rotates between the open position and the closed position. Displacement of the secondary gate can include rotation and/or translation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to carabiners with anti-crossloading features that operate similar to a conventional lockingcarabiner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carabiners are typically associated with outdoor recreationalactivities, such as rock climbing, mountaineering, and mountain rescuework. Carabiners are also employed in many other applications, such asrescue work in urban and industrial settings, safety restraints in urbanand industrial settings, law enforcement work, and militaryapplications.

A carabiner typically includes an incomplete loop of rigid material witha gate that completes the loop. The gate may be opened to insert a rope,sling, or a belay/rappel device. The gate is typically biased by aspring to the closed position. The gate may also be secured in a closedposition by a locking mechanism.

Many potentially unsafe scenarios can arise when using a traditionalcarabiner. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the locking carabiner 100 attachesbelay device 122 to belay loop 119 on climbing harness 114. Rope 124 isthreaded through the belay device 122 in a manner to enable a controlledrappel by the climber. The carabiner 100 is rotated in the belay loop119 causing the belay device 122 to load the carabiner 100 along weakerminor axis 108. The belay device 122 is bearing directly against thescrew locking mechanism 112 and the gate 104. The cross-loadedconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1 may cause the screw lockingmechanism 112 and/or the gate 104 to break, potentially havingcatastrophic consequences for the climber.

European Patent Application EP 0976936 discloses carabiner 126 having agenerally C-shaped body 128, a gate 130 with a locking mechanism 138,and a lateral support member 132 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thelocking mechanism 138 is moved upward in direction 140 and screwed indirection 142 to securely lock the gate 130. The lateral support member132 rotates about the spine of the C-shaped body 128 and snaps over thegate 130 and the locking mechanism 138 to divide opening 150 into afirst portion 144 and a second portion 145. The carabiner disclosed inEP 0976936 corresponds generally to a carabiner sold under the name“Belay Master” by DMM International of Great Britain.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, first portion 144 of opening 150 is attachedto a belay loop 146 of a climbing harness. Rope 148 and belay/rappeldevice 152 are threaded through second portion 145 of the opening 150.The lateral support member 132 prevents the carabiner 126 from rotatingin the belay loop 146 to an orientation such that it may be cross-loadedalong its minor axis. Furthermore, because the lateral support member132 covers the gate 130, it is protected from another object (e.g.,another carabiner, etc.) from bearing directly against the gate 130.

Operating the carabiner 126 requires two sequential steps. The gate 130cannot be opened unless the lateral support member 132 is firstdisengaged. The belay loop 146 and rope 148 must all be located in theopening 150 before the lateral support member 132 can be engaged withthe gate 130. That is, the user can not access portion 145 of theopening 150 without disengaging the lateral support member 132. As aresult, there is a risk that the belay loop 146 and/or rope 148 may endup in the wrong portions (i.e., 144 or 145) of the opening 150. Also,the lateral support member 132 rotates perpendicular to the plane of thecarabiner 126, while the gate 130 moves in the plane of the carabiner126. Manipulating the carabiner 126 in two planes is more difficult thana single plane of operation, especially while wearing gloves. Theprotruding lateral support member 132 may also interfere with otherclimbing equipment.

U.S. Publication No. US2003/0167608 (hereinafter “the '608 Application”)discloses carabiner 154 with a generally C-shaped body 156 and a gate158 that pivots about pin 164, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thelocking mechanism 160 includes lateral support member 162 extending fromthe gate 158 and engaging spine 174 of the C-shaped body 156. When thegate 158 is closed and the lateral support member 162 rotates back intothe plane of the body 156 and divides opening 161 into first portion 172and second portion 173.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in order to open the carabiner 154, thelocking mechanism 160 must be released and rotated in direction 170. Asa result, the user can not access the portion 173 of the opening 161without disengaging the lateral support member 162. All the belaydevices, ropes, and harness loops must be located in the opening 161before the lateral support member 162 is engaged, creating the risk thatthese elements end up in the wrong portions (i.e., 172 or 173) of theopening 161. Also, the lateral support member 162 rotates outside of theplane of the C-shape body 156, creating handling problems andpotentially interfering with other climbing equipment. Finally, there isa potential danger that a climber may inadvertently sandwich the belayloop of a climbing harness between the body 156 and the lateral supportmember 162, thereby increasing the risk of cross-loading.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,601 (Thompson) discloses various embodiments ofanti-cross loading features for carabiners. FIG. 6 illustrates carabiner176 having a generally C-shaped body 178, a gate 182 including a lockingmechanism 188, and a lateral support member 194. The gate 182 is securedto end region 184 of the body 178 by a pin 200 (e.g., a rivet, screw,etc.). The gate 182 is rotatable about pin 200 to enable the gate 182 toopen and close manually along the general arc 189. In the closedposition depicted in FIG. 6, a slot in the gate 182 receives an endregion 186 of the body 178.

The lateral support member 194 divides the opening 180 into a firstportion 190 and a second portion 192. The lateral support member 194 canbe opened by urging it upward in axial direction 206 along thelongitudinal slot 205 until the securing element 196 bears against baseof lateral slot segment 203 of the L-shaped slot 202. The dimensions ofthe lateral support member 194 are such that when it is moved upward itdoes not interfere with the gate 182 in the closed position. The lateralsupport member 194 may then be rotated in the direction 204 within anarc provided by the lateral slot segment 203.

In order to obtain access to the first portion 190, the lateral supportmember 194 is rotated out of the plane of the body portion 178. The gate182 is operated separately from the lateral support member 194 in atwo-step process. In particular, the carabiner 176 has two separatelocking mechanisms 188, 202 for the user to operate. Because the lateralsupport member 194 extends between fixed locations on the body portion178, the first portion 190 is relatively small compared to the entireopening 180, and may be inadequate for some applications.

In another embodiment of Thompson illustrated in FIG. 7, carabiner 236has a body 178, an arm member 227′, and a locking mechanism 240. The armmember 227′, shown in a closed, locked position, is attached to the endregion 184 of the body 178 and manually rotatable thereabout along anarc in direction 232. The locking mechanism 240 includes an opening 250configured for receiving the arm member 227′. The opening 250 comprisesa restricted portion 255, configured to engage a distal end 229 of thearm member 227′ to prevent rotation. The opening 250 further includes anon-restrictive portion 257, configured to enable the arm member 227′ torotate between an open and a closed position. The locking mechanism 240may be twisted about the elongated section 212 of the body 178 between alocking position, with the distal end 229 of the arm member 227′ engagedwithin the restricted portion 255 as shown, and an unlocking position,with the non-restrictive portion 257 of the opening 250 housing thedistal end 229 of the arm member 227′, enabling rotation thereof.

As with the other embodiment discussed above, the arm 227′ extendsbetween fixed locations on the body portion 178, so the first portion252 is relatively small compared to the entire opening 250. The gate(not shown) is operated separately from the arm 227′ in a two-stepprocess. In order to be used for belaying or rappelling applications,the gate requires a locking mechanism, so that the carabiner 236 has twoseparate locking mechanisms for the user to operate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a carabiner with an anti-crossloading feature that operates similar to a conventional lockingcarabiner. The various embodiments emphasize simplicity and ease of use,while providing the benefit of an anti-cross loading feature. Thepresent carabiners permit one handed operation and typically do notrequire more steps to operate than a conventional carabiner. In someembodiments, the present anti-cross loading feature converts anon-locking carabiner into a locking carabiner suitable for belaying andrappelling.

The anti-cross loading feature includes a secondary gate attached to theprimary gate. The secondary gate is adapted to divide an interior regionof the carabiner into a first portion and a second portion. Thesecondary gate and the primary gate are preferably displaced in the sameor parallel planes. A single locking mechanism acts to secure both theprimary gate and the secondary gate. Coupling the secondary gate to theprimary gate facilitates one handed operation and minimizes oreliminates additional actions by the user in order to operate.

In one embodiment, the carabiner includes a generally C-shaped bodyincluding a first end and a second end located on opposite sides of anopening. A primary gate is mounted to the second end. The primary gateis rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a plane that bisectsthe C-shaped body. The primary gate is rotatable between a closedposition with the primary gate engaged with the first end and theC-shaped body enclosing an interior region, and an open position withthe primary gate located generally in the interior region. A first endof a secondary gate is attached to the primary gate. A second free endof the secondary gate includes a portion adapted to engage an interiorsurface of the C-shaped body. The portion of the second free end isconstrained to move only in the interior region. The secondary gate isadapted to be displaced in the plane relative to the primary gatebetween a closed configuration that divides the interior region into afirst portion and a second portion, and an open configuration where theinterior region is accessible through the opening. Displacement ormovement of the secondary gate can include rotation and/or translation.

The secondary gate is adapted to not interfere with rotation of theprimary gate between the open position and the closed position. Thesecondary gate is adapted to move between the open configuration and theclosed configuration as the primary gate moves between the open positionand the closed position. The secondary gate is also adapted to move inthe plane to extend across the interior region as the primary gaterotates between the open position and the closed position. In oneembodiment, the portion of the secondary gate is biased to slide alongthe interior surface of the C-shaped body as the primary gate rotatesbetween the closed position and the open position.

The secondary gate is preferably biased toward one of the closedconfiguration or the open configuration. In one embodiment, thesecondary gate is attached proximate a distal end of the primary gate.The second distal end of the secondary gate is preferably advancedtoward the second end of the C-shaped body in the open configuration. Inanother embodiment, the second free end of the secondary gate includeslateral stabilization portions extending beyond the interior region whenthe portion of the secondary gate is engaged with the interior surfaceof the C-shaped body. In another embodiment, the secondary gate isbiased toward the open configuration and a locking mechanism on theprimary gate simultaneously advances the secondary gate toward theclosed configuration as the locking mechanism is advanced toward alocked position.

At least one stop is preferably located on one or more of the primarygate and the C-shaped body to limit displacement of the secondary gateto the closed configuration. A single locking mechanism preferablyretains the primary gate in the closed position and the secondary gatein the closed configuration. In one embodiment, the locking mechanismengages with the primary gate and retains the secondary gate in theclosed configuration. In another embodiment, the locking mechanismengages with the secondary gate and retains the primary gate in theclosed position. In another embodiment, the secondary gate slidesgenerally along an axis of the primary gate between the openconfiguration and the closed configuration.

In another embodiment, the secondary gate includes a first end pivotallyattached to the primary gate and a second free end. The secondary gateis adapted to be displaced in the plane relative to the primary gatebetween a closed configuration that divides the interior region into afirst portion and a second portion, and an open configuration where theinterior region is accessible through the opening. The second free endof the secondary gate located outside of the interior region in both theopen configuration and the closed configuration.

In one embodiment, the secondary gate includes a U-shaped wire structurethat is adapted to extend around an outer perimeter of a spine of theC-shaped body in the closed configuration. The secondary gate is adaptedto move between the open and closed configurations as the primary gatemoves between the open and closed positions. In another embodiment, thesecondary gate is biased to the closed configuration and slides along astop on a spine of the C-shaped body as the primary gate rotates betweenthe closed position and the open position. An engagement structure isoptionally located on the C-shaped body that retains the secondary gatein the closed configuration. The secondary gate preferably rotates atleast 180 degrees between the open configuration and the closedconfiguration.

The present invention is also directed to a method of making acarabiner. The method includes the steps of mounting a primary gate to asecond end of a generally C-shaped body for rotation about a first axisperpendicular to a plane that bisects the C-shaped body. The primarygate is rotatable between a closed position with the primary gateengaged with a first end of the C-shaped body, and an open position withthe primary gate located in an interior region of the C-shaped body. Afirst end of a secondary gate is attached to the primary gate so that aportion of a second free end of the secondary gate can engage aninterior surface of the C-shaped body. The secondary gate is adapted tobe displaced in the plane relative to the primary gate between a closedconfiguration that divides the interior region into a first portion anda second portion, and an open configuration where the interior region isaccessible through the opening. The portion of the second free end isconstrained to move only in the interior region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a belay device cross-loading a prior art carabiner.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a prior art carabiner with a lateral supportmember pivotally attached to the spine.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate prior art a carabiner with a lateral supportmember that rotates with the gate locking mechanism.

FIG. 6 illustrates a prior art carabiner with a lateral support memberthat engages with the body portion of the carabiner.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate prior art carabiner with a lateralsupport member that engages with the body portion of the carabiner.

FIG. 8 illustrates an anti-cross loading feature in an open positionlocated within an interior region of a carabiner in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates an alternate mode of operating the carabiner of FIG.8 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the carabiner of FIG. 8with a flexible secondary gate in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the carabiner of FIG. 8 during the locking sequencein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A illustrates an alternate mode of operating the carabiner of FIG.8 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates the carabiner of FIG. 8B with the secondary gate inan open position accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the carabiner of FIG. 8 in the locked position inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B illustrates the carabiner of FIG. 8B with the secondary gate ina closed position accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a rear end view of the carabiner of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate an alternate anti-cross loading featuregenerally located within an interior region of a carabiner in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an alternate anti-cross loading featuregenerally located within an interior region of a carabiner in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an alternate anti-cross loading featuregenerally located within an interior region of a carabiner in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 and 21 illustrate a carabiner with an anti-cross loadingfeature that slides past the spine of the carabiner in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a variation of the carabiner illustrated in FIG. 19with a retaining structure for the secondary gate in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a variation of the carabiner illustrated inFIG. 19 with an alternate retaining structure for the secondary gate inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 25 through 28 illustrate a carabiner with a sliding anti-crossloading feature in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 8 through 11 are directed to a carabiner 300 with anti-crossloading feature 302 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The carabiner 300 includes a generally C-shaped body 304 witha first end 306 and a second end 308 located on opposite sides ofopening 309. As used here, “generally C-shaped” refers to an incompleteloop that tends to close on itself, and not to the particular geometryof the body. As such, generally C-shaped describes most commerciallyavailable carabiners, such as for example, oval, D-shaped, pear-shaped,offset D-shaped, and irregular shaped, as that phrase is used herein.

Primary gate 310 is pivotally attached to the second end 308 by pivotpin 312. The primary gate 310 rotates around axis of rotation B (seeFIG. 11) of the pivot pin 312 between open position 314 illustrated inFIG. 8 and closed position 316 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the primary gate 310 is a straight gate,although a bent gate or wire gate can also be used for this purpose.

The primary gate 310 is preferably biased to the closed position 316. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the interface of distal end 318 of theprimary gate 310 and the first end 306 of the body 304 is configured asa conventional key-lock carabiner. Since the open position 314 is amatter of degree, open position 314 refers to a configuration where gap315 between the distal end 318 of the primary gate 310 and the first end306 of the C-shaped body 304 is sufficient to permit other devices orobjects to pass.

Secondary gate 320 is pivotally attached to the primary gate 310,preferably proximate the distal end 318. The secondary gate 320 can bedisplaced relative to the primary gate 310, primarily by rotation aroundaxis of rotation C (see FIG. 11). In the illustrated embodiment, thesecondary gate 320 rotates around the pivot point 313 between openposition 314 illustrated in FIG. 8 and closed position 316 illustratedin FIG. 10. The secondary gate 320 can be rigid or flexible (see e.g.,FIG. 8B). Since even a rigid wire gate may flex when subjected to asufficient load, displacement or movement of the secondary gate caninclude rotation around an axis or pivot point, translational movementdue to flexure or elastic bending, or a combination thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary gate 320 is a generallyU-shaped wire structure that engages with holes 313 in distal end 318 ofthe primary gate 310. The U-shaped wire structure is advantageous forthe present embodiment because the secondary gate 320 can be foldedagainst the primary gate 310 in a compact configuration that does notinterfere with access to the interior region 322, as illustrated in FIG.8.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, plane P generally bisects or divides theC-shaped body 304 into two generally equal or congruent parts 304A,304B. The axis of rotation B is generally perpendicular to the plane P.Consequently, the primary gate 310 (or a central axis of the primarygate 310) preferably rotates in the plane P or a plane parallel to planeP. The axis of rotation C of the secondary gate 320 is also generallyperpendicular to the plane P. Consequently, the secondary gate 320 (or acentral axis of the secondary gate 320) is preferably displaced in theplane P or a plane parallel to plane P.

The anti-cross loading feature 302 preferably has a single plane ofoperation. As used herein, “single plane of operation” refers to thesame plane or closely parallel planes. For most applications where thegates 310, 320 are displaced in different, but parallel planes, bothplanes are located within the outer boundaries of the carabiner 300,defined by planes 305A, 305B parallel to plane P. For the embodiment ofFIGS. 19-21, both planes are located within the outer boundaries definedby the secondary gate 504.

The secondary gate 320 is preferably biased toward the primary gate 310,as illustrated in FIG. 8. Consequently, when the primary gate 310 is inthe open position 314, the entire interior region 322 is accessiblewithout requiring any further action by the user. In this respect, thecarabiner 300 requires no further steps to operate than a conventionallocking carabiner, permitting one handed operation.

The primary gate 310 includes locking mechanism 324 that can bedisplaced along axis A toward the distal end 318. When in the fullylocked position 326 illustrated in FIG. 10 the locking mechanism 324locks the distal end 318 to the first end 306 of the body 304, as in aconventional carabiner. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 324 isbiased toward the distal end 318. In another embodiment, the lockingmechanism 324 is threaded and is displaced when rotated, such as in aconventional screw gate carabiner. An auto locking mechanism may also beused.

In the open position 314 illustrated in FIG. 8 the locking mechanism 324is displaced toward pivot pin 312. The secondary gate 320 preferably hasa range of travel that permits it to contact the locking mechanism 324,minimizing interference with the interior region 322. As the lockingmechanism 324 is advanced toward the distal end 318 of the primary gate310, as illustrated in FIG. 9, leading edge 328 of the locking mechanism324 engages the secondary gate 320 and rotates it in direction 330.

When the locking mechanism 324 is advanced to the fully locked position326 illustrated in FIG. 10, the secondary gate 320 is positioned acrossthe interior region 322. The secondary gate 320 divides that interiorregion 322 into first portion 334 and a second portion 332. In oneembodiment, portion 335 at free end 336 of the secondary gate 320engages with stop 340 on the spine 342 of the body 304. In anotherembodiment, the secondary gate 320 engages the spine 342 at an acuteangle which prevents further rotation in the direction 330. Free end 336of the secondary gate 320 preferably has a shape complementary to ashape of the spine 342 at the location of engagement with the stop 340(see e.g., FIG. 13). In yet another embodiment, the secondary gate 320engages with stop 341 on the primary gate 310. Locating the stop 341 onthe primary gate permits a standard C-shaped body 304 to be used for thepresent carabiner 300. The various stops can be used alone or incombination.

In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 324 is advanced further alongthe axis A after the secondary gate 320 engages the stop 340. As aresult, the secondary gate 320 is flexed slightly in direction 344. Inthe flexed configuration, the secondary gate 320 applies a force on thelocking mechanism 324 that increases friction between the components,reducing the risk of inadvertent rotation of the locking mechanism 324.Since the secondary gate 320 is intended to deflect ropes, belay devicesand the like into their respective portions 332, 334, and not to carrylarge loads, the locking mechanism 324 for the secondary gate 320 doesnot need to be as robust as the locking mechanism 324 for the primarygate 310.

FIGS. 8A and 9A illustrate an alternate mode of operating the carabiner300. The secondary gate 320 is biased toward the closed position 316illustrated in FIG. 10. When the primary gate 310 is in the openposition 314, the biasing force urges the portion 335 at the free end336 of the secondary gate 320 against interior surface 337 of the body304.

As the primary gate 310 is moved between the open position 314 and theclosed position 316 (see FIG. 10), the portion 335 slides along theinterior surface 337. The biasing force causes the secondary gate 320 toextend across the interior region 322 as the primary gate 310 movesbetween the open position 314 and the closed position 316 (see FIG. 10),although the size and shape of the portions 332, 334 change as theprimary gate 310 is moved between the open position 314 and the closedposition 316.

With the primary gate 310 in the open configuration 314, the user canpass items, such as a belay loop through the second portion 332, andinto the first portion 334 by temporarily overcoming the biasing forceon the secondary gate 320, as illustrated in FIG. 9A. Once the belayloop is located in the first portion 334, the biasing force snaps thesecondary gate 320 back into engagement with the interior surface 337,as illustrated in FIG. 8A. The user can then move ropes and belaydevices into and out of the second portion 332 without affecting thefirst portion 334. The secondary gate 320 can then be locked into theclosed position 316 as discussed in connection with FIG. 10.

Biasing the secondary gate 320 toward the closed position 316 has theadded advantage of supplementing the biasing force acting on the primarygate 310. The embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 9A can be operated with onehand, and does not require the user to take any action to operate thesecondary gate 320.

FIGS. 8B, 9B and 10B illustrate alternate embodiments of the carabiner300B. In the first embodiment, the secondary gate 320B is constructedwith a curved shape. The secondary gate 320B is preferably flexible, sothat displacement in direction 331 can be rotation around pivot point313 and/or translation due to flexure of the secondary gate 320B.Alternatively, secondary gate 320B is pivotally attached at the location313, but is permitted a limited range of rotation. The locking mechanism324 and stop 341 operate as discussed above. The curvature of thesecondary gate 320B facilitates sliding of the free end 336 on thesurface 337. The leading edge 328 of the locking mechanism 324 engagesthe secondary gate 320B and rotates it in direction 330, as discussedabove. Operation of the carabiner 300B can be in accordance with any ofthe embodiments discussed herein. The secondary gate 320B is preferablybiased in the direction 330.

In another embodiment, the secondary gate 320B is fixedly attached tothe primary gate 310 at the location 313, such as by spot welding. Inboth of these embodiments, displacement in the direction 331 isprimarily or exclusively translation due to flexure of the secondarygate 320B. Flexure can occur along the full length of the secondary gate320B or it can be constructed to facilitate preferential bending inselected locations. When the locking mechanism 324 is in the fullylocked position 326 illustrated in FIG. 10B, the surface 328 providesadditional support to the connection at the location 313, although thesecondary gate 320B may still flex in the directions 330, 331.

With the primary gate 310 in the open configuration 314 as illustratedin FIG. 8B, a user can pass items, such as a belay loop through thesecond portion 332 and into the first portion 334 by temporarily flexingthe secondary gate 320B, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. Once the belay loopis located in the first portion 334, the elastic force snaps thesecondary gate 320B back into engagement with the interior surface 337,as illustrated in FIG. 8B. The user can then move ropes and belaydevices into and out of the second portion 332 without affecting thefirst portion 334.

The secondary gate 320B also biases the primary gate 310 toward theclosed position 316 illustrated in FIG. 10B, supplementing the biasingforce acting on the primary gate 310. The embodiment of FIGS. 8B, 9B and10B can be operated with one hand, and does not require the user to takeany action to operate the secondary gate 320B.

FIGS. 12 through 14 are directed to an alternate carabiner 350 with ananti-cross loading feature 352 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The body 354 and the primary gate 356 correspond to aconventional D-shaped non-locking carabiner.

Secondary gate 358 is pivotally attached to the primary gate 356.Although the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14 illustrates the secondary gate358 attached near distal end 360 of the primary gate 356, the locationof attachment can be moved closer to pivot pin 359 for some applicationswithout departing from the scope of the present embodiment. In theillustrated embodiment, the primary gate 356 and the secondary gate 358are both biased toward the closed position 376 illustrated in FIG. 12.In the closed position 376 the secondary gate 358 divides the interiorregion 361 into first portion 364 and second portion 366. The secondarygate 358 preferably rotates in the same plane as the primary gate 356,as discussed above.

Locking mechanism 368 is located on the spine 370 of the body 354. Freeend 362 of the secondary gate 358 is adapted to engage with narrow slot364 on the locking mechanism 368. In the illustrated embodiment, thefree end 362 includes curved portion 363 generally corresponding to thecross-sectional shape of the spine 370 and/or the cross-sectional shapeof the locking mechanism 368 in the region of the narrow slot 364. Inthe locked position 372 illustrated in FIG. 12, the narrow slot 364captures the free end 362 and prevents the secondary gate 358 fromrotating in direction 380. The geometry of the carabiner 350 and thelength of the secondary gate 358 prevent rotation in the oppositedirection 381. The locking mechanism 368 is preferably biased into thelocked position 372 illustrated in FIG. 12. Consequently, the secondarygate 358 blocks movement of the primary gate 356 and converts anon-locking carabiner into a locking carabiner.

The locking mechanism 368 can be rotated relative to the spine 370 sothat wider slot 374 is positioned opposite the free end 362 of thesecondary gate 358, permitting the secondary gate 358 to disengage fromthe locking mechanism 368 and to rotate in the direction 380. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, the secondary gate 358 can be manually rotatedtoward the primary gate 356, providing access to the entire interiorregion 361.

It is not necessary, however, for the user to displace the secondarygate 358 toward the primary gate 356 as illustrated in FIG. 13. Rather,once the secondary gate 358 is release from the locking mechanism 368,the free end 362 slides along inner surface 382 of the spine 370 as theprimary gate 356 is opened and closed. In particular, the curved portion363 slides on the inner surface 382. The portion 363 is constrained tomove only in the interior region 361, although lateral stabilizationportions 358A, 358B of the secondary gate 358 extend beyond the interiorregion 361 when the portion 363 is engaged with the spine 370. Thelateral stabilization portions 358A, 358B provide lateral stabilityduring sliding, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

Once the primary gate 356 is opened, items such as ropes, belay devices,belay loops, and the like can be passed through the second portion 366and into the first portion 364 of the interior region 361 by simplyovercoming the biasing force acting on the secondary gate 358, asillustrated in FIG. 14. Since the secondary gate 358 is biased towardthe inner surface 382, it immediately snaps back into engagement withthe interior surface 382 of the spine 370 after being displaced.

The carabiner 350 is preferably self-locking. In particular, once forceF applied by a user (see FIG. 14) is removed from the primary gate 356,the biasing mechanisms close the primary gate 356 and the secondary gate358. Free end 362 of the secondary gate 358 preferably snaps back intoengagement with the narrow slot 364 on the locking mechanism 368.Alternatively, the user must rotate the locking mechanism 368 to engagethe free end 362 with the narrow slot 364, similar to a conventionaltwist lock carabiner.

In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 368 can be temporarilyrotated with the wider slot 374 positioned to engage free end 362 of thesecondary gate 358. When the biasing mechanisms snap the free end 362into engagement with the wider slot 374, the locking mechanism 368automatically rotates so that the free end 362 is restrained by thenarrow slot 364, as illustrated in FIG. 12. The embodiment of FIGS.12-14 can be operated with one hand and does not require any specialhandling of the secondary gate 358.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are directed to an alternate carabiner 400 with ananti-cross loading feature 402 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The secondary gate 404 is pivotally attached todistal end 406 of the primary gate 408. The secondary gate 404preferably rotates in the same plane as the primary gate 408, asdiscussed above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the primary gate 408 and the secondarygate 404 are both biased toward the closed position 410 illustrated inFIG. 15. In the closed position 410 the secondary gate 404 divides theinterior region 412 into first portion 414 and second portion 416.Operation of the carabiner is similar to that discussed in connectionwith FIGS. 8A and 9A. In particular, the free end 424 preferably slidesalong inner surfaces 430 of the carabiner 400 as the primary gate 408moves between open position 432 illustrated in FIG. 16 and the closedposition 410 illustrated in FIG. 15. The free end 424 is constrained tomove only in the interior region 412.

Locking mechanism 418 is preferably biased to the closed position 420illustrated in FIG. 15. When force 422 applied by a user is removed fromthe primary gate 408, the biasing mechanisms close the primary gate 408and the secondary gate 404. In the preferred embodiment, curved orangled portion 425 at the free end 424 snaps into engagement with thelocking mechanism 418.

In an alternate embodiment, the user must move the locking mechanism 418toward the unlocked position 428 illustrated in FIG. 16 so that thebiasing force can move the secondary gate to the closed position 410.The user then releases the locking mechanism 418, which engages with thecurved portion 425 at the free end 424 of the secondary gate 404.

In the locked configuration illustrated in FIG. 15, the non-lockingcarabiner is converted to a locking carabiner. The carabiner 400requires no further steps or actions to operate than a conventionalcarabiner, except that the carabiner 400 has the benefit of theanti-cross loading feature 402.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are directed to an alternate carabiner 450 withanti-cross loading feature 452 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Secondary gate 454 is pivotally attached to distalend 456 of the primary gate 458. The secondary gate 454 preferablyrotates in the same plane as the primary gate 458. In the illustratedembodiment, the primary gate 458 and the secondary gate 454 are bothbiased toward the closed position 460 illustrated in FIG. 17.

The primary gate 458 is a wire structure and the secondary gate 454includes portion 464 that is adapted to engage the inner surface 470 ofspine 476. The portion 464 is constrained to move only in the interiorregion 468. In the illustrated embodiment, portion 464 is a conventionalkey-lock locking structure with a threaded locking mechanism 466. Thecorresponding key member 472 is preferably formed on interior surface470 of the spine 476. The secondary gate 454 can be folded against theprimary gate 458 to maximize the size of the interior region 468. Thelocking mechanism 466 turns a non-locking, wire-gate carabiner into alocking carabiner. The distal end 464 preferably slides along innersurface 470 of the carabiner 450 as the primary gate 458 moves betweenthe open position and the closed position.

In an alternate embodiment, the primary gate 458 is biased toward theclosed position 460 and the secondary gate 454 is biased to the openposition 474 illustrated in FIG. 18. In this embodiment, the secondarygate 454 moves with the primary gate 458 and does not obstruct theinterior region 468. The user manually displaces the secondary gate 454to the locked position 460 and/or extends the secondary gate 454 acrossthe interior region 468.

FIGS. 19 through 21 are directed to an alternate carabiner 500 withanti-cross loading feature 502 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Secondary gate 504 is pivotally attached to distalend 506 of the primary gate 508. As best illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21,the secondary gate 504 is preferably a generally U-shaped wire structurethat is adapted to wrap around an outer perimeter of spine 523.

In the illustrated embodiment, the primary gate 508 and the secondarygate 504 are both biased toward closed position 510 illustrated in FIG.21. The secondary gate 504 preferably rotates in the same plane as theprimary gate 508. Locking mechanism 512 retains the primary gate 508 inthe closed position 510. Any of the locking mechanisms disclosed hereincan be used with the embodiment of FIGS. 19-21.

In use, the secondary gate 504 is rotated in direction 514 in oppositionto the biasing force until it contacts the primary gate 508, asillustrated in FIG. 19. By simultaneously pressing both gates 504, 508toward the open position 518 as illustrated in FIG. 19, access isprovide to the entire interior region 516. Free end 505 is displacedaway from the carabiner 500. A belay loop or other item (not shown) canthen be engaged with first portion 526 of the interior region 516.

The user then has the option of releasing only the secondary gate 504 sothat biasing force rotates it in direction 520 to the closed position510 until it contacts stop 522 located on a side edge of the spine 523,as illustrated in FIG. 20. The belay loop is retained in the firstportion 526 by the primary gate 508. Alternatively, the user can releaseboth gate 504, 508 so that the biasing forces advance the gates 504, 508to the closed position 510 illustrated in FIG. 21. The secondary gate504 extends across the interior region 516.

In the closed position 510 illustrated in FIG. 21, the interior region516 is divided into a first portion 526 and a second portion 528. Evenin the closed position 510, the user can access the second portion 528by advancing the primary gate 508 to the open position 518 illustratedin FIG. 20. The biasing force urges the secondary gate 504 to slidealong the stop 522. The secondary gate 504 can be displaced in the planeto extend across the interior region 516 as the primary gate 508 rotatesbetween the open position 518 and the closed position 510.

FIG. 22 illustrates a variation of the carabiner 500 illustrate in FIGS.19-21. The carabiner 550 includes an engagement structure 552 on thespine 523 adapted to engage the secondary gate 504 in the closedposition 510. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement structure552 is a pair of stops 560, 522 with a recess or detent region 564 therebetween. The wire gate structure of the secondary gate 504 preferablyhas sufficient resilience to advance past stop 560, but not stop 562.The engagement structure 552 permits the secondary gate 504 to remain inthe closed position 510, while still sliding along the stop 522 as theprimary gate 508 is advance to the open position 518, thereby permittingaccess to the second portion 528 (see e.g., FIGS. 20 and 24).

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate another variation of the carabinerillustrated in FIGS. 19-21. Carabiner 600 includes a second stop 602 onthe back edge 604 of the spine 523. In the preferred embodiment, thesecondary gate 504 is positively locked in the closed position 510 whenthe locking mechanism 512 is locked. In particular, the stop 522inhibits movement of the secondary gate 504 in direction 606 and thesecond stop 602 inhibits movement in direction 608. The stop 602 doesnot interfere with sliding of the secondary gate 504 along the stop 522in response to movement of the primary gate 508 toward the open position518, as illustrated in FIG. 24. In one embodiment, leading edge 612 ofthe locking mechanism 512 biases the secondary gate 504 into engagementwith the stop 602 when in the fully locked position 510.

In order to move the secondary gate 504 to the open configuration 518(see e.g., FIG. 19), the primary gate 508 must first be advance towardthe open position 518 so that portion 610 of distal end 505 of thesecondary gate 504 can extend beyond the second stop 602. The secondarygate 504 can then rotate in the direction 514.

Once in the open position 518 illustrated in FIG. 19, the user releasesboth gates 504, 508. The biasing force on the secondary gate 504 ispreferably sufficient to advance the secondary gate 504 in the direction520, so that portion 610 automatically moves past the second stop 602,either by elastic deformation of the secondary gate 504 or by overcomingthe biasing force retaining the primary gate 508 in the closed position510. Once the secondary gate 504 is engaged with the stop 522 asillustrated in FIG. 24, the primary gate 508 is released. The biasingforce moves the primary gate 508 to the closed position 510 and theportion 610 of the secondary gate 504 is locked in the closed position510 between the stops 522, 602. No action is required by the user otherthan to lock the locking mechanism 512.

FIGS. 25 through 28 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a carabiner650 with a sliding secondary gate 652 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The secondary gate 652 slides in a groove (notshown) in the primary gate 654. In the preferred embodiment, thesecondary gate 652 is coupled to locking mechanism 656. With the lockingmechanism 656 in the fully opened position 658 as illustrated in FIG.25, the secondary gate 652 is displaced into substantial alignment withthe primary gate 654, with only distal portion 660 exposed.Alternatively, the secondary gate 652 can be displaced so as to besubstantially contained within the primary gate 654.

With the primary gate in the closed position 666, the locking mechanism656 is advanced toward distal end 662 of the primary gate 654. Thesecondary gate 652 advances beyond of the primary gate 654 asillustrated in FIG. 26. Feature 664 on the primary gate 654 near thedistal end 662 directs the secondary gate 652 toward the spine 668 ofthe carabiner 650. In the illustrated embodiment, the feature 664 is agenerally triangular ramp, although a variety of other structures may beused.

When the locking mechanism 656 is in the fully locked position 670illustrated in FIG. 27, distal end 672 of the secondary gate 652 engagesthe spine 668, dividing the interior region 674 into a first portion 676and a second portion 678. Leading edge 690 of the locking mechanism 656preferably compresses the secondary gate 652 against the feature 664.

In use, the locking mechanism 656 can be displaced in direction 680 asufficient amount to disengaged from the first end 682 of the carabiner650, as illustrated in FIG. 28. The primary gate 654 is now free torotate to the open position 658, while the secondary gate 652 is stillsubstantially extended. As a result, the secondary gate 652 extendsacross the interior region 674. Rotation of the primary gate 654 mayrequire flexing the secondary gate 652, as illustrated in FIG. 28. Thesecondary gate 652 is flexed between the spine 668 and the leading edge690 of the locking mechanism 656.

The first portion 676 can now be accessed by flexing the secondary gate652 further in direction 684 or by sliding the locking mechanism 654 inthe direction 680 to retract the secondary gate 652 until the distal end672 is disengaged from the spine 668. The secondary gate 652 alsosupplements the biasing force urging the primary gate 654 toward theclosed position

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within the inventions. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included inthe smaller ranges is also encompassed within the inventions, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either bothof those included limits are also included in the inventions.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferredmethods and materials are now described. All patents and publicationsmentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of theapplication, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose anddescribed the methods and/or materials in connection with which thepublications are cited.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present inventionsare not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of priorinvention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be differentfrom the actual publication dates which may need to be independentlyconfirmed.

Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although thedescription above contains much specificity, these should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations orsub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodimentsmay be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It shouldbe understood that various features and aspects of the disclosedembodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in orderto form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intendedthat the scope of at least some of the present inventions hereindisclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodimentsdescribed above.

Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciatedthat the scope of the present invention fully encompasses otherembodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, andthat the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited bynothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an elementin the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unlessexplicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural,chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and areintended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is notnecessary for a device or method to address each and every problemsought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassedby the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or methodstep in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether the element, component, or method step isexplicitly recited in the claims.

1. A carabiner comprising: a generally C-shaped body comprising a firstend and a second end located on opposite sides of an opening; a primarygate mounted to the second end and rotatable about a first axisperpendicular to a plane that bisects the C-shaped body, the primarygate rotatable between a closed position with the primary gate engagedwith the first end and the C-shaped body enclosing an interior region,and an open position with the primary gate located generally in theinterior region; and a secondary gate comprising a first end attached tothe primary gate and a second free end having a portion adapted toengage an interior surface of the C-shaped body, the portion of thesecond free end constrained to move only in the interior region, thesecondary gate adapted to be displaced in the plane relative to theprimary gate between a closed configuration that divides the interiorregion into a first portion and a second portion, and an openconfiguration where the interior region is accessible through theopening.
 2. The carabiner of claim 1 wherein the secondary gate isadapted to move between the open configuration and the closedconfiguration as the primary gate moves between the open position andthe closed position.
 3. The carabiner of claim 1 wherein the secondarygate is adapted to move in the plane to extend across the interiorregion as the primary gate rotates between the open position and theclosed position.
 4. The carabiner of claim 1 wherein the portion of thesecondary gate is biased to slide along the interior surface of theC-shaped body as the primary gate rotates between the closed positionand the open position.
 5. The carabiner of claim 1 wherein the secondfree end comprises lateral stabilization portions extending beyond theinterior region when the portion of the secondary gate is engaged withthe interior surface of the C-shaped body.
 6. The carabiner of claim 1wherein the secondary gate is biased toward the open configuration, thecarabiner comprising a locking mechanism on the primary gate thatsimultaneously advances the secondary gate toward the closedconfiguration as the locking mechanism is advanced toward a lockedposition.
 7. The carabiner of claim 1 comprising at least one stop onone or more of the primary gate and the C-shaped body that limitsdisplacement of the secondary gate to the closed configuration.
 8. Thecarabiner of claim 1 comprising a single locking mechanism that retainsthe primary gate in the closed position and the secondary gate in theclosed configuration.
 9. The carabiner of claim 1 comprising a lockingmechanism that engages with the primary gate and retains the secondarygate in the closed configuration.
 10. The carabiner of claim 1comprising a locking mechanism that engages with the secondary gate andretains the primary gate in the closed position.
 11. The carabiner ofclaim 1 wherein the second distal end of the secondary gate is advancedtoward the second end of the C-shaped body in the open configuration.12. The carabiner of claim 1 wherein the secondary gate slides generallyalong an axis of the primary gate between the open configuration and theclosed configuration.
 13. The carabiner of claim 1 wherein the secondarygate is attached proximate a distal end of the primary gate.
 14. Acarabiner comprising: a generally C-shaped body comprising a first endand a second end at opposite sides of an opening; a primary gate mountedto the second end and rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to aplane that bisects the C-shaped body, the primary gate rotatable betweena closed position with the primary gate engaged with the first end andthe C-shaped body enclosing an interior region, and an open positionwith the primary gate located generally in the interior region; and asecondary gate comprising a first end pivotally attached to the primarygate and a second free end, the secondary gate adapted to be displacedin the plane relative to the primary gate between a closed configurationthat divides the interior region into a first portion and a secondportion, and an open configuration where the interior region isaccessible through the opening, the second free end of the secondarygate located outside of the interior region in both the openconfiguration and the closed configuration.
 15. The carabiner of claim14 wherein the secondary gate comprises a U-shaped wire structure thatis adapted to extend around an outer perimeter of a spine of theC-shaped body in the closed configuration.
 16. The carabiner of claim 14wherein the secondary gate is adapted to move between the open andclosed configurations as the primary gate moves between the open andclosed positions.
 17. The carabiner of claim 14 wherein the secondarygate is biased to the closed configuration and slides along a stop on aspine of the C-shaped body as the primary gate rotates between theclosed position and the open position.
 18. The carabiner of claim 14comprising an engagement structure on a spine of the C-shaped body thatretains the secondary gate in the closed configuration.
 19. Thecarabiner of claim 14 wherein the secondary gate rotates at least 180degrees between the open configuration and the closed configuration. 20.A method of making a carabiner comprising the steps of: mounting aprimary gate to a second end of a generally C-shaped body for rotationabout a first axis perpendicular to a plane that bisects the C-shapedbody, the primary gate rotatable between a closed position with theprimary gate engaged with a first end of the C-shaped body and an openposition with the primary gate located in an interior region of theC-shaped body; attached a first end of a secondary gate to the primarygate so that a portion of a second free end of the secondary gate canengage an interior surface of the C-shaped body, the secondary gateadapted to be displaced in the plane relative to the primary gatebetween a closed configuration that divides the interior region into afirst portion and a second portion, and an open configuration where theinterior region is accessible through the opening; and constraining theportion of the second free end to move only in the interior region.